Extensible device for applying a melting agent to ice filled gutters

ABSTRACT

An extensible device for applying a material to an elevated location, such as into an ice filled rain gutter. The device includes an elongated handle having at least first and second telescopically interconnecting and linearly adjustable sections. A volume holding container secures to an extending end of the handle, a centerline extending through the container extending at an angle relative to a linearly extending centerline associated with the handle. In this fashion, and upon a user situated upon a ground location rotating the handle about the linearly extending centerline, the particulate contents held within the container are caused to be poured therefrom at the elevated location and into the gutter such as to melt the ice filled contents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an extensible and, optionally, pivotal pole device incorporating an end supported volume holding receptacle, and such as particularly suited for applying a liquid or granulate device at an elevated location often associated with ice filled gutters.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art is well documented with examples of tools and other extending implements, such as for clearing rain gutters and the like.

A first example of the prior art is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,271, issued to Segal, and which teaches a tool for cleaning rain gutters including a pair of elongated tongs pivoted together at corresponding ends, and with remote tong ends gapped apart when opened and touching when closed. A spring biases the tongs to the opened position, and additional stop members center the tongs when fully opened.

A flexible tong line is connected at its ends to intermediate locations of the respective tongs and is routed as three separated spans crossing between the tongs. Two tong line spans cross from the end connections and the third or intermediate tong line span crosses closer to the pivoted ends. A flexible pull line is secured to the intermediate tong line span. With the tool carried on an extension pole, an operator can position the tong ends and tension the pull line to grip remote objects, such as gripping and removing leaves from an overhead gutter.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,937, issued to Keiter, discloses a gutter cleaning device including an operator controlled handle and a cleaning head affixed thereto. The head includes a pair of clamp arms pivotally mounted on a shaft to allow the arms to freely pivot on the shaft and freely dangle in a work plane. Additional structure is provided to allow the arms and gripping end portions to be moved selectively together and apart in the work plane for easily gripping and releasing gutter debris regardless of the lateral angular orientation of the handle. A pivotally mounted mirror is provided on the head, and wherein a motion resistance mechanism engages the mirror for attenuating an angular follow of the mirror relative to an adjustment in lateral angular orientation of the handle, thereby maintaining operator focus on the problem debris field in the gutter.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,209, issued to McDermott, teaches a rain gutter cleaning apparatus for remotely cleaning a house gutter of accumulated leaves and twigs while operating the apparatus from ground level. A clamping device is operated by a cable. located within an elongated tubular rod. The angle between the rod and the vertical clamp is adjustable for differences of height between the ground and the rain gutter.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,077, issued to Molzan, teaches a gutter cleaning apparatus for removing leaves and debris from a roof gutter by an operator situated at a ground location. The apparatus includes an adjustable articulate head unit connected to a telescoping handle. The heat unit includes a pair of gripping blades hinged together along their proximal end to pivot between an open and closed position. One of the gripping blades is rotatably connected to a flat neck by an O-shaped grommet, which allows the gripping blades to rotate between different angular positions with respect to the neck for different angles of inclination. A cord is connected to the other gripping blade and passes through the grommet and is used to manually close the gripping blades. A trigger device, which includes a finger loop, is secured to the cord and can be selectively positioned along its length.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,402, issued to Maraschiello, teaches a rain gutter cleaning tool provided wherein the tool is supported and carried on an elongated pole with a fixed handle at one end, an intermediate actuating handle and operator gripper jaw mechanism on the other end. The gripper jaws are disposed at an optimum angle for easy and convenient access to the open top of the conventional rain gutter and may be selectively actuated to remove leaves and accumulated debris from clogged gutters.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An extensible device for applying a calcium chloride particulate material at an elevated location, such as into an ice filled rain gutter. The device includes an elongated handle, typically with at least first and second telescopically interconnecting and linearly adjustable sections constructed from an aluminum or like material.

A volume holding container secures to an extending end of the handle by a bracket. The container is typically a pot, bowl or other suitable shaped element and which includes an open interior capable of holding a given volume of the particulate material. The bracket typically includes a pair of spaced apart portions, receiving therebetween an extending end of the handle and such that a centerline extending through the container is defined at an angle relative to a linearly extending centerline associated with the handle.

In a preferred embodiment, extending portions associated with the bracket and the handle include apertures through which is inserted a pin or other suitable fastener for repositioning the container at a desired angular offset relative to the handle. The bracket allows for further bend adjustment of the container relative to the handle.

Rotating of the handle about its linearly extending centerline causes the particulate contents held within the container to be poured therefrom at the elevated location into the gutter. In this fashion, the user can safely melt ice filled gutters without leaving the safety of a ground location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded illustration of the extensible pole device incorporating a volume holding container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rotated perspective view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1 and better illustrating the feature of the fastener secured and bendable bracket mount established between the volume holding container and an end of the extensible pole;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the interconnecting bracket mount of FIG. 2 and illustrating the fashion by which the volume holding receptacle may be pivotally repositioned or bendable relative to the extensible pole; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the extensible pole device according to a further preferred variant of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a partially exploded illustration is shown at 10 of an extensible pole device incorporating a volume holding container 12 and according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, and as has been previously discussed, the present invention renders possible the ability of a user to pour liquid or particulate contents 14 held within the open top and volume holding container 12, this typically including a calcium chloride composition which has been established to possess superior chemical properties in the melting of ice within rain gutters (not shown).

The container 12 includes such as a pot or bowl shape and is secured, such as by a bracket 16, to an associated end of a handle 18. The handle 18 in turn may be secured in end-to-end and telescoping fashion to a succeeding handle 20. The elongated and telescoping sections defining the handles 18 and 20 may be constructed of an aluminum or other suitable material exhibiting the necessary properties of light weight combined with strength and durability.

A collar 22 is secured to an opposing end of a selected one of the telescoping sections 18 and 20 and rotates in a first selected direction (see arrow 24) to tighten the telescoping sections according to a defined inserted and linear distance. The collar 22 may also be rotated in a second selected direction to loosen a connection established between the telescoping sections 18 and 20 and such as to permit the same to be linearly repositioned to other desired overall extending lengths.

In a preferred embodiment, it is desired that the container 12 secured to the handle be capable of achieving an elevation of at least 12-14 feet, this being typical for effective use with rain gutters incorporated into one story structures. Longer extensible handles, such as which may also include three or more telescoping portions, are further contemplated and which may extend the container 12 to elevated locations suitable for servicing ice filled gutters in second or third story structures. Of note, the bracket 16 facilitates the angular positioning of the container 12 relative to the handle 18 and such that a desired angular offset, see as referenced at 26 in FIG. 1, is established between a centerline 28 extending through the container and a corresponding centerline 30 extending linearly through the handle 18.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a rotated perspective view of the device generally illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown at 32 and better illustrating the feature of the bendable bracket mount established between the volume holding container and an end of the extensible pole 18. Components illustrated in FIG. 2 common to FIG. 1 again include telescoping handles 18 and 20, a modified collar 22′, as well as a gripping portion 34 disposed with an extending end of the second handle portion 20. Yet additional features include a modified bracket, see as generally referenced at 36, for bendably adjusting an angle of the interconnecting container 38 relative to the telescoping handle.

Referring now to the enlarged illustration of FIG. 3, an enlarged sectional view is shown of the interconnecting bracket mount 36 of FIG. 2, and which in particular illustrates the fashion by which the volume holding receptacle (not shown in this illustration) may be bendably repositioned relative to the extensible pole, referenced by projecting end of handle section 18.

Specifically, the bracket 36 includes a pair of spaced apart portions 39 and 40, such as extending from a generally flat or plate-like portion 42 in turn bolted to an outer edge location associated with the container. The spaced apart portions 39 and 40 may further include appropriately configured inward and opposingly facing surfaces, see at 44 and 46, respectively, and which receives therebetween an inserting end of the handle 18. A screw 45 (see FIG. 3) engages an upwardly projecting (wood insert) portion 47 associated with the handle end 18, through a hole in the bracket 36, in order to secure the bracket 36 in place.

Mating apertures extending through the spaced apart portions 39 and 40 and the handle end 18, see at 48 and 50, receive a laterally extending screw, bolt or other fastener 52 and in order to secure the container to the handle. In alternating variants, the bracket may be fixed or pivotally arranged relative to the handle. The angle 26 (see again FIG. 1) between the container and handle is capable of being quickly adjusted depending upon the extending height and angle of the container relative to a vertical centerline extending from the ground location (not shown) and in order to achieve optimal pouring or dispensing of the calcium chloride granulate into an ice filled gutter. Further, the configuration and thickness of the flat plate 42 is further such that it can be bent in order to array the container in a desired and further pivotal orientation relative to the elongated handle (see also FIG. 2).

Referring finally to FIG. 4, an exploded view is shown at 54 of an extensible pole device according to a further preferred variant of the present invention. In particular, a container 56 may be fixedly secured in a desired angular orientation to an associated handle section 58, and which is in turn secured in end-to-end extensible fashion with a succeeding handle section 60.

An open end 62 associated with the first section accepts an inserting end of the second section 60. To maintain the sections in locked engagement, laterally projecting and biasing locking tabs, see at 64, associated with the second section, seat through mating apertures 66 in the first section. In this manner, the handle section 60 is attached to the handle section 58 in the manner referenced by directional arrow 68 and further in order that the container 56 can be rotated such as in a direction corresponding to arcuate directional arrows 70.

Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims: 

1. An extensible device for applying a material to an elevated location, comprising: an elongated handle; a volume holding container secured to an extending end of said handle, a centerline extending through said container extending at an angle relative to a linearly extending centerline associated with said handle; and rotating of said handle about said linearly extending centerline causing contents held within said container to be poured therefrom at the elevated location.
 2. The extensible device as described in claim 1, said handle having a specified shape and size and further comprising first and second end-to-end connected sections.
 3. The extensible device as described in claim 1, said handle having a specified shape and size and further comprising first and second telescoping sections.
 4. The extensible device as described in claim 2, an open end associated with said first section accepting an inserting end of said second section, laterally projecting and biasing locking tabs associated with said second section seating through mating apertures in said first section.
 5. The extensible device as described in claim 3, further comprising said first and second telescoping sections being held together at linearly spaced arrangements by a collar.
 6. The extensible device as described in claim 1, said container having a specified shape and size and holding a volume of a calcium chloride in particulate form.
 7. The extensible device as described in claim 1, further comprising a bendable bracket mount established between the volume holding container and said end of said handle.
 8. The extensible device as described in claim 7, said bracket further comprising a pair of spaced apart portions, receiving therebetween said handle end.
 9. The extensible device as described in claim 8, further comprising mating apertures extending through said spaced apart portions and said handle end receiving a laterally extending screw between said container and said handle.
 10. The extensible device as described in claim 1, said handle exhibiting a specified shape and size and being constructed of at least one telescoping length of an aluminum material.
 11. The extensible device as described in claim 5, further comprising said collar being secured to an opposing end of a selected one of said first and second telescoping sections and rotating in a first selected direction to tighten said telescoping sections according to a defined linear distance, said collar rotating in a second selected direction to loosen a connection established between said telescoping sections.
 12. An extensible device for applying a material to an elevated location, such as into an ice filled rain gutter, said device comprising: an elongated handle including at least first and second telescopically interconnecting and linearly adjustable sections; a volume holding container secured by an extending and adjustable bracket to an end of said handle, a centerline extending through said container extending at an angle relative to a linearly extending centerline associated with said handle; and rotating of said handle about said linearly extending centerline causing particulate contents held within said container to be poured therefrom at the elevated location.
 13. An extensible device for applying a calcium chloride particulate material at an elevated location, such as into an ice filled rain gutter, said device comprising: an elongated handle including at least first and second telescopically interconnecting and linearly adjustable sections; a volume holding container secured to an extending end of said handle by a bracket, said bracket comprising a pair of spaced apart portions, receiving therebetween an extending end of said handle and such that a centerline extending through said container is defined at an angle relative to a linearly extending centerline associated with said handle, said bracket including a bendable plate-like portion secured to said container; and rotating of said handle about said linearly extending centerline causing said particulate contents held within said container to be poured therefrom at the elevated location into the gutter. 